Interview with Metacafe’s Top Earner: Kipkay, the How-to Guy
KipKay is one of those few guys who have earned money and reputation by making homemade videos, specializing in one niche, the how-to videos. So far his major focus was on Metacafe, now that rival YouTube is launching its partner program, things may change, he may just recycle some old how-tos, and start pushing ahead on his YouTube channel. Here’s my unedited interview with Kipkay with my occasional notes inserted.
Who is Kipkay? One of your fans wrote: “you’re are the modern day mcguyver!” another shouted ” Kip Kip Hooray! Kip Kip Hooray! Kip Kip Hooray!” Is the name Kipkay standing for a video production team or is your video series an individual project?
Kipkay is me! Kip is my real first name and my last name begins with K. No production team other than occasional help from my cats, Tux and Domino. And the wifey of course.
How would you describe Kipkay in 5 words?
Funny, creative, inventive, outgoing and talented. Is this a psychological test?
Do you remember your first ever hacking?
No. It would have been when I was very young, probably 7 or 8 years old. That’s too far back to remember. More recently, watch this.
What jobs have you done so far?
In my life? Well…busboy, flower delivery man, cook, gas station attendant, lot boy at a car dealership, projectionist, radio announcer, TV news cameraman, computer repair tech, TV show host, Video producer…
Do you consider videopublishing on Metacafe a job? Could it be your full time job?
It’s a fun job but I don’t see it as a job but more of a high paying hobby.
The Money Machine
Kipkay you are primarily using Metacafe, the Israeli video social networking site to earn money by uploading how-to and hack-to videos you made. Some of the cautious and / or skeptic users are not sure whether you have in fact received your due share? Have you?
Yes, of course. It’s a real program!
How much have you earned so far?
About $60,000
(my note: I made the interview back in October, so the amount has increased since then to more than $82,000 - that’s a decent increase!)
Does this make you The Top Earner on Metacafe?
Yes!
How does earning money on YouTube and Metacafe compare in your case?
Does YouTube pay for videos? If so, I was not ware they started a program yet. I have not been contacted about it.
(note: the interview was made in October, and YouTube announced its revenue sharing program on Dec 10 2007)
What further video sites bring revenue for you, if any? IFilm? StumbleUpon?
Ifilm, Instructables, www.kipkay.com and soon, Videojug.
What if your videos are embedded on blogs? Do you still get your commission? Which means 50%? 30%? 10%?
Each view from Metacafe or embedded links is $.05. Yes, that’s an amazing ½ cent per view.
(note, as far as I know it is $.005 per view, i.e. $5 per thousand)
Based on your special success, do you get an increased share from Metacafe?
No.
Hacking, making, tinkering
Where do your hacking ideas come from? Make? Instructables? Dummies books? Life?
Many different sources. Many are ideas that are already out there just never done to video. Many are ones I think up in the middle of the night.
Compared to e.g. Bre Pettis from Makezine, or other hackers in general, you sound “super-slick informercial” on your videoclips .Wait a sec, is the sound yours at all? Do you think it may make you seem less of a Maker, i.e. sound less credible or cool?
I tell people that’s my voice and I have to live with it. Yes, I could tone it down to a monotone and make it sound boring but with my radio broadcasting background, that’s they way I project.
What do you think of Daniel Rutter’s rants and raves about Kipkay?
I have not seen it until now. Looks pretty amusing at first glance. I will give it a read through.
Tips & Tricks
What camera, what software, what extra gadgets are you using?
Sony VX2000 and/or Sony PDX10. Adobe Production Suite on a Matrox RTX 100 system.
What equipment do you suggest for an absolute starter with max. $1,000 to invest?
Basic MiniDV camera and some editing software plus a decent microphone if you need it.
How about making a How To Make a Kipkay Film? What are your rules of thumb in narrating your trips?
Nah…people don’t care about that unless they are producers.
Socializing on Metacafe
Do you have several user names with various channels, genres, different types of films? In other words, Kipkay is the hacking guy, do you have other personas with different themes to cover?
No, just Kipkay
You have several fans and followers. Do you keep in contact with them through comments, emails? Have you started to build your own enterprise on the backbone of your videos and Metacafe fame?
I have an email list that I send new video links to. I also have my channel that has 740+ subscribers that get a notice when a new video is out.
You have more than 80 clips on Metacafe and only 8 on YouTube. While you joined YouTube in Jan 2006, Metacafe came 6 months later. How come that you are so selective with YouTube?
I don’t want to take views away from my ‘bread and butter’. If someone sees a video on Youtube and then goes to Metacafe and sees the same thumbnail they may not watch it. I chose videos that have my website link on them to send people to my website.
(note: now I wonder how quickly KipKay is uploading stuff on YouTube to be able to apply for the YouTube partner program… Also, how will it affect the Metacafe views?)
One of your fans wrote: “I watch you both @ Metacafe and YouTube. Please post everything at Metacafe here too. People want to see you here. Metacafe is not as popular and fast as YouTube. But you get $$$ there i understand. But please add to YouTube at least 2 weeks later.” What do you think?
See above…
Future
Again to quote one of your followers: “If I was him, I would have gone further by putting together collective ideas to create some cool tools/gadgets and patented manufactured marketed them.” Do you have plans to rely more heavily on your video how-to popularity?
Right now that’s my focus with an occasional different idea now and then to mix it up.
Several comments on your Metacafe and YouTube profile are left unanswered. You don’t have time for your audience or you don’t think of them as your clients and choose to neglect them? Do you see it as a possible threat?
I can’t answer every comment on all 80 of my videos. I stopped getting the notifications from Metacafe because it became too overwhelming. My latest video has over 200 comments in 4 days.
(note: I do find it a threat in retrieving viewers.)
Have you been contacted by companies, sponsors, other hopeful professionals to make a better use of the video niche?
Yes on occasion. I do get more publicity requests right now, though.
All the best, and good luck!
Thanks!